Rob
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 posted on 25/5/03 at 09:43 AM |
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Locost Westfield
After Getting A 1/18th Scale model of a Lotus supper 7 A few Xmas's ago.
I have just started looking into what is needed for a build. Reading through Magazines, Westfield do a single donor starter kit called the westsport
SDV. the kit comprises of Space Frame Chassis, Spare Wheel Carrier, Top Front Wishbones, Bottom Front Wishbones, Engine Mounting Brackets, Pedals
Including Master Cylinders (Floor Mounted), Brake Lines, Aeroquip Fittings And Tee Piece (any help on what this is), Aluminium Panel Set Including
Floor Pan, Seat-Back, Centre Tunnel And Scuttle, Nuts, Bolts, Rivets And Suspension Bushes, Chassis Plate, Wing Brackets, Rear Uprights, Top Rear
Wishbones, Bottom Rear Wishbones, A Complete Set Of Self Coloured Body Work Including Rear Body Section, Scuttle, Bonnet, Nose, Screen Fillet, Wings
(Choice Of Swept Or Cycle Design) And A Boot Box, All In A Choice Of Colours.
The donor car is any siera with a pinto engine.
To me this sounds ok to give me a good start. But I would be greatfull to any of you expirienced builders for you views.
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locodude
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| posted on 25/5/03 at 11:38 AM |
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A Westfield certainly isn't a Locost, or a LOW cost way of going about building a 7 based roadster. There are many cheaper alternatives. This
forum was basically set up to help builders of Locosts. i.e people who want to build their cars from the ground up, including the chassis. It has
evolved from this original concept however and now deals with a variety of different 7 based kits. The Westfield isn't one of them though. As
for the phrase 'single donor' how come it needs a mk2 escort steering rack then? Oh and the 'tee' piece is a 't'
piece for the brake lines.
I would suggest that if you have the money then go ahead and buy yourself a 'cheque book seven' but don't expect any help from the
people on this forum. There is a dedicated Westfield forum for that!
Good luck in your endevours
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DoctorFunky
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| posted on 25/5/03 at 03:32 PM |
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Have a look at the MK Indy. The comprehensive kit is the same price as the Westfield and you would find a lot of support from people on this forum.
There is even a seperate section for the MK. 
Glad I didn't build a Tiger
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chrisg
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| posted on 25/5/03 at 03:57 PM |
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Not wanting to argue with a doctor but:
Mk Indy starter kit - £1169.12
West field SDV starter kit - £2250
Both including Vat
not exactly the same provided, but the MK has some things the Westfield don't and vice-versa.
Mk's comprehensive kit is cheaper than Westfield's starter kit! (£2174.13)
Over a grands difference, and then check out the differece in parts you may need, Westfield parts prices make your eyes water!
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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DoctorFunky
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| posted on 25/5/03 at 05:29 PM |
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I agree a Westfield is a much more expensive option in the long run, but I think you miss my point. The Westfield starter kit features much more than
the Indy starter (ie pedal set, brake lines, aluminium panel set including floor, bushes, bolts and rivnuts and engine mounts. The only difference
between this and the comprehensive Indy kit is the shocks and roll bar. Also it is now priced at only £2000, cheaper than the Indy comprehensive kit.
Even adding £359 for shocks from Westfield it is still only £200 dearer than the Indy.
But, as you say, other spares from Westfield are incredibly over priced, so I would still go for the Indy.
Glad I didn't build a Tiger
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ChrisW
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| posted on 25/5/03 at 07:57 PM |
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Don't forget our new sponsor either *cough*
Chris
My gaff my rules
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locodude
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| posted on 25/5/03 at 09:56 PM |
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Yeah, 'cos that big Viento thing is such a good looker!
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ChrisW
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 08:34 AM |
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Yes. That's why I'm building one!
Chris
My gaff my rules
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zetec
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 08:42 AM |
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I think if I did it all again I would have to look at the Westfield option if only for the much better bodywork. The MK chassis is just as well made
as any but the fibreglass panels are a pain. Best bet if going cheap Westfield route is to get a rolling chassis and source everything else yourself.
That said mine has turned out very well. It seems as MK success has taken them by surprise and R+D for the Indy has been put on the back burner.
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Jasper
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 11:26 AM |
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Trouble with Westy bodywork - smack the rear arch and you gotta replace the whole back and sides.
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Stu16v
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 11:34 AM |
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I must admit, I'm quite surprised by some of the negative responses towards the Westfield SDV.
quote:
I would suggest that if you have the money then go ahead and buy yourself a 'cheque book seven'
Err, dont MK (and most of the others seemingly) offer this service already, even down to offering turnkey cars? Exactly the same as Westfield as I see
it.
quote:
There are many cheaper alternatives.
There are more expensive alternatives too, inculding what is supposed to be a Locost. You pays yer money etc etc.
Cant argue the point that some of Westfields other prices are a tad 'extreme' to say the least. But there again, you dont have to buy the
other stuff from Westfield, as Zetec suggests.
And I reckon the Westy will hold second hand values better, should you be in the unfortunate position to have to sell your car.
It can only be good news for us mere mortals if the likes of Westfield are dabbling in the Locost end of the market (like it or lump it, it's
true), the quality and value of the products offered by MK, Luego etc is already first class, and is likely to get better still with the fresh
competition.
And I wonder where the 'inspiration' for the original RC chassis would come from if it wasnt for the Westy?   
Dont just build it.....make it!
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 01:44 PM |
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yo zetec when you say mk bodywork is a pain,in what way do you mean,ive got that delight to do and any info would be apreciated
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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zetec
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 03:58 PM |
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The first problem was the scuttle, when I came to fit it I found the gel coat was full of bubbles along one bottom edge had to drive to Midlands to
get another even though it was faulty when sent out. The send item was the bonnet, it was 1/2 longer one side than the other and is a very poor fit
around the scuttle. When I talked to MK about it they agreed it was crap and said they use another supplier now! Also just noticed the nose cone is
not true, but the number plate will hide that. If I had bought a Westie I would have been on the phone insisting they sent new parts rather than me do
the leg work to get it sorted, but the lads at MK have been very helpful in other areas I have lived with it. It must be hard moving from chassis
fabricator to kit manufacturer in such a short time.
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 05:40 PM |
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thanx zetec,they are a great bunch and i can see the pressure they are under,mine was made very recently so fitting shouldnt be a problem
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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locodude
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 06:27 PM |
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Doesn't anybody on this list know what 'tongue in cheek' means. Thought not
Meant it about the Viento tho', sorry ChrisW just my personal taste.
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chrisg
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| posted on 26/5/03 at 08:42 PM |
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hey, lets ,like all get along, live and let live.
Except anyone who didn't build their own chassis - they should be burnt at the stake.
Cheers
Chris
And if Luego are "our" sponsor, where's my share?
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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Peteff
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| posted on 27/5/03 at 06:41 PM |
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Yes, lets start our own club, the home made locost builders club and have a website called locostbuilders or something like that.
Doh!
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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chrisg
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| posted on 27/5/03 at 06:49 PM |
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You might have got something there Pete,
Something along the lines of, oh, I dunno, Locostbuilders.co.uk?
Yeah, could work
Cheers
Chris
We could have a sister site called"Locost_type_assemblers. co.uk
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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UncleFista
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| posted on 27/5/03 at 08:50 PM |
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Also resale value should be taken into consideration. Even the best Locost isn't going to sell for more than a Westfield.
Not an issue if you intend to keep it forever, but who's gonna stop at building one ?
Tony Bond / UncleFista
Love is like a snowmobile, speeding across the frozen tundra.
Which suddenly flips, pinning you underneath.
At night the ice-weasels come...
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kingr
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| posted on 28/5/03 at 08:28 AM |
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How about locostinspiredbuilders.co.uk?
Kingr
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ChrisW
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| posted on 28/5/03 at 11:13 AM |
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Each to their own... I really like the Viento hence why I approached Luego to help with the site.
quote:
And if Luego are "our" sponsor, where's my share?
You're using your 'share' now. The site is (still) free, and I now have some time to fix all the things you lot moan about!
Chris
My gaff my rules
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Metal Hippy
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| posted on 28/5/03 at 05:19 PM |
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quote:
How about locostinspiredbuilders.co.uk?
That'll be me then....
Cock off or cock on. You choose.
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chrisg
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| posted on 1/6/03 at 07:01 PM |
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I'll stop looking - send me a cheque.
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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stats
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| posted on 25/6/03 at 09:16 PM |
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westfield test drive
Went for a test drive in a westfield I hope my locost dosn't end up the same! allbeit a positive drive I was told in a very nice way that I
could put one on the road for around K6.5-K7 and this all started with a book that promised me a car for £250. it just cost me that for a welder and i
bought a built chassis???Duh
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